Sports ramblings…with a Yankees bias!

Maybe I should sign with Boras…

All hail the Sultan of $$$$$$$$$$$$…

deadspin.com

Unfortunately, the Yankees are going to be seeing super agent Scott
Boras more than they’d like given his newest clients are Robinson Cano and Nick
Swisher. I have to admit that I was
dismayed to see the two Yankees sign on with Boras because it will mean the
potential for contentious negotiations in the not-so-distant future. It also felt like the chances the players
stay in the Bronx behind their current deals lessened substantially when I
heard the news.

From the players’ standpoint, Boras makes complete sense. He has shown an uncanny knack for getting the
most for his clients (sometimes in seemingly impossible situations). While I may not like Boras personally, he is
clearly on a different level than most agents.
I can only hope that it does not eventually lead to Cano’s departure.

I have to admit that it looks strange to see former Oakland A’s third
baseman Eric Chavez in Yankees gear.
Chavez was always an Athletic that I held high regard for, but as with
former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, injuries have taken their toll on a
once outstanding career. I am really
pulling Chavez and I hope that he earns a bench role for the Yankees (even at
the expense of Ramiro Pena). I’d like to
see Chavez backing up the corner positions, with Eduardo Nunez covering the
middle infield positions.

daylife.com

Of the other players in camp on minor league deals, I’d say that I am
most supportive of former Chicago White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia. If the Yankees don’t trade for a starting
pitcher or sign someone like Kevin Millwood, I’d like to see Garcia earn a spot
in the rotation ahead of Sergio Mitre and the other cast of characters. While I recognize that the other spot will
most likely go to Ivan Nova, I am very intrigued by Hector Noesi and I am
looking forward to seeing what he can do in camp. Of the younger guys, I most excited about lefty
Manny Banuelos but he is still a few years away from the majors.

It was tough to see Alfredo Aceves sign with the Boston Red Sox. I know the Yankees were interested in
bringing Aceves back, but Boston’s willingness to extend a major league
contract was the difference maker.

It’s hard to believe that pitchers and catchers report on Monday but I’m
ready for the new season. I still think
that the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies have the best teams on
paper but there’s still a lot that can happen between now and October. And, oh yeah, they still have to play the
games…

2 Comments

I suppose we have Scott Boras to thank for paying $5 for hot dogs for a game, but owners pay what he demands. Not working out so great for the Nationals right now though.

Don’t forget though, any other teams interested in Cano or Swisher will have to pay what is surely going to be a ridiculous asking price; almost certainly more than the Nats paid for Jayson Werth. The Yankees are still the best positioned team to land either one.

I agree with you, Kurt. As you indicated, the owners pay what he demands. By the way, as a correction, Nick Swisher did not sign with Scott Boras. There had been an erroneous report that he had signed with Boras, however, he actually signed with agent Dan Lozano. Still, it doesn’t take away from my comments about Boras and his stature within the ranks of the agents. While the Yankees may be able to afford the players, I agree that they need to exercise financial constraint…probably more so than other teams because of the perception of baseball fans everywhere. The Yanks need to spend to stay competitive but history has shown that they fail when they spend foolishly and needlessly.

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